Polling station accessibility

The voting process should be accessible to all voters. We offer a range of support for disabled voters to enable them to vote independently or with assistance.

To help make polling stations accessible we provide:

ramps where needed so polling stations are wheelchair accessible
adapted level polling booth for wheelchair users
large print versions of ballot papers to view
pencil grips to attach to pens or pencils when marking the ballot paper
magnifiers to use when reading guidance or marking the ballot paper
Tactile Voting Device, to enable blind and partially sighted people to mark their ballot papers independently
extra lighting in polling booths where required
friendly and helpful polling station staff who will make reasonable adjustments where possible

You will be required to provide photographic ID when voting in a polling station, for the Thursday 4 May 2023 elections.

If you do not want to vote at a polling station, you can vote by post or by proxy.

Support in the polling station

If you are a disabled voter or require additional support to complete a ballot paper on your own, you can take a friend or relative to the polling station to help you. Our polling station staff will also be available able to help you.

You can ask someone to:

assist you moving around the polling station
read out the candidates' names and parties on the ballot paper in order
explain the voting options to you
use their knowledge of your communication methods to understand who you want to vote for
come into the polling booth with you
mark the ballot paper with your decision if you permit them to do so

Someone else cannot:

decide for you on who to vote for
mark the ballot paper against your wishes
stop you from voting because you have a disability or require additional support

Additional support

Please let the polling station staff know if you need any additional support to be able to exercise your right to vote.

For example, if you need:

someone to read out the candidates on the ballot paper
to be shown a large print ballot paper
to use the Tactile Voting Device
someone to help mark the ballot paper with your decision, either someone who has accompanied you or the polling station staff
to be assisted in moving around the polling station

If you would like to make a request before polling day for additional equipment or support in your polling station, please email elections@tunbridgewells.gov.uk or call 01892 554024 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Report an accessibility issue

If you find an accessibility issue at a polling station, please report this by emailing elections@tunbridgewells.gov.uk or call 01892 554024 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Guide for voters with a learning disability

Read the Mencap guides on voting and registering to vote (opens in a new window).